Despite constant claims by Gov. Mike Pence (R) that the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) doesn’t legalize discrimination against the LGBT community, Indiana businesses have wasted no time in using the law to do just that.
A pizza parlor in Walkerton has said that, if asked, they would not provide pizza for a gay wedding as it conflicts with their religious beliefs, ABC 57 reported.
“We are a Christian establishment,” said Crystal O’Connor, whose family has owned and operated Memories Pizza for nine years. “We’re not discriminating against anyone; that’s just our belief and anyone has the right to believe in anything.”
Regarding the significant amount of backlash Indiana’s RFRA has garnered from all corners of the country, O’Connor said the claims of the law being discriminatory aren’t true — despite the fact that she had just admitted that she and her family would be using the law to discriminate.
“I do not think it’s targeting gays. I don’t think it’s discrimination,” she said. “it’s supposed to help people that have a religious belief.”
Kevin O’Connor, Crystal’s father, even went so far as to say that the negative press the RFRA and its supporters are getting isn’t fair. He also called homosexuality a choice, which is always argument number one in the homophobic playbook.
“That lifestyle is something they choose,” he said. “I choose to be heterosexual. They choose to be homosexual. Why should I be beat [sic] over the head to go along with something they chose?”
The O’Connors did, however, tell ABC 57 that they wouldn’t deny service to homosexuals who wish to dine in their restaurant; they just won’t cater their weddings.
How very Christian of them.
